The New York Mets might spend the final days of the regular season continuing to benefit from teams failing to take advantage of the extended subpar play of the Mets in their effort to grab the final National League wild-card spot.

But New York would rather not take that chance.

The Mets again will look to earn a series win on Thursday afternoon when they host the San Diego Padres in the finale of a three-game set between the teams occupying the final two NL wild-card spots.

Rookie Jonah Tong (1-2, 8.49 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against fellow right-hander Randy Vasquez (5-6, 3.72).

The Mets' two-game winning streak ended Wednesday after Manny Machado hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the fifth inning to lead the Padres to a 7-4 victory.

Despite losing for the ninth time in 1

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